Comments on: Canada’s Anti-Americanism http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2003/02/27/canadas-anti-americanism/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:03:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: E. Keller http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2003/02/27/canadas-anti-americanism/#comment-221 E. Keller Tue, 20 May 2003 00:03:46 +0000 http://ss75.shared.server-system.net/~benedictionblogson.com/?p=315#comment-221 As a student, I listen tirelessly every day to sanctimonious reasons as to why Canadians are the God of the universe and how Americans are the pond scum that deserve to be deprived of human rights. I listen tirelessly, as teachers and academics strive to preach the peacefulness of Canada and the stupidity of the “trigger-happy” Americans. If I am to argue with these notions, I am maimed “anti-Canadian” and verbally spat upon. Is it not ironic that Canadians are known for their acceptance of new ideas and opinions, yet if we are to offer enlightenment on a subject such as our attitude towards one of the greatest countries in the world, we are silenced? Thank you for expressing an idea hushed by the bias Canadian nationalists. As a student, I listen tirelessly every day to sanctimonious reasons as to why Canadians are the God of the universe and how Americans are the pond scum that deserve to be deprived of human rights. I listen tirelessly, as teachers and academics strive to preach the peacefulness of Canada and the stupidity of the “trigger-happy” Americans. If I am to argue with these notions, I am maimed “anti-Canadian” and verbally spat upon. Is it not ironic that Canadians are known for their acceptance of new ideas and opinions, yet if we are to offer enlightenment on a subject such as our attitude towards one of the greatest countries in the world, we are silenced? Thank you for expressing an idea hushed by the bias Canadian nationalists.

]]> By: Bene Diction http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2003/02/27/canadas-anti-americanism/#comment-220 Bene Diction Wed, 05 Mar 2003 23:16:24 +0000 http://ss75.shared.server-system.net/~benedictionblogson.com/?p=315#comment-220 I wonder if along with the woundedness that came with the WTC, Pentegon and Pennsylvania attacks, and the anxiety...am I seeing a bit of self-consciousness and openess that would not have been expressed even a few months ago? I wonder if along with the woundedness that came with the WTC, Pentegon and Pennsylvania attacks, and the anxiety…am I seeing a bit of self-consciousness and openess that would not have been expressed even a few months ago?

]]> By: dayment http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2003/02/27/canadas-anti-americanism/#comment-219 dayment Wed, 05 Mar 2003 21:41:55 +0000 http://ss75.shared.server-system.net/~benedictionblogson.com/?p=315#comment-219 I am an american, married to a canadian (together 15 years), living in Seattle. I have many opinions on this. When I met my husband I thought canadians lived in igloos and drove dog sleds and I was EIGHTEEN and IN COLLEGE. Americans are the most ethno-centric people you can meet. It's not always pride, it's also ignorance. They (americans) want to learn all about the culture of others mainly to compare how weird the others are compared to americans. My husband knew more about U.S. history (taught in canadian school) than I did. Top this with american television and the violent extravagant shit that comes out of Hollywood, and there's the american image for ya. When I go to Canada, I don't tell anyone I'm american unless the subject comes up. I've learned. When our canadian cousin came to visit us in Michigan many years ago, she was PETRIFIED to be in a McDonald's, because she was afraid that someone would come in and shoot up the place. I think George W is the personification of the image of America. He is the caricature of the embarassing traits of americanism, and frankly we're all embarassed. I will agree, in my opinion, that canadians seemed to "like" the US better when our president was getting his knob polished. I don't blame canadians for feeling ani-american right now, when this U.S. leader has done SO many ethnocentric things, even during times of crisis. I mean, do we think the world loves us just because.... uh, we're the land of the free or something? My own grandfather didn't go to our wedding because it was in London, Ont. and he refused to go to Canada. WTF? We are moving to Vancouver later this year. It's time for us to go to Canada and settle down and start a family. I can't wait. I won't ever lie about being an american in Canada, but I certainly won't be advertising it, either. That was totally stream-of-consciousness but *I* feel better now. Thanks. I am an american, married to a canadian (together 15 years), living in Seattle. I have many opinions on this.
When I met my husband I thought canadians lived in igloos and drove dog sleds and I was EIGHTEEN and IN COLLEGE. Americans are the most ethno-centric people you can meet. It’s not always pride, it’s also ignorance. They (americans) want to learn all about the culture of others mainly to compare how weird the others are compared to americans.
My husband knew more about U.S. history (taught in canadian school) than I did.
Top this with american television and the violent extravagant shit that comes out of Hollywood, and there’s the american image for ya.
When I go to Canada, I don’t tell anyone I’m american unless the subject comes up. I’ve learned. When our canadian cousin came to visit us in Michigan many years ago, she was PETRIFIED to be in a McDonald’s, because she was afraid that someone would come in and shoot up the place.

I think George W is the personification of the image of America. He is the caricature of the embarassing traits of americanism, and frankly we’re all embarassed.

I will agree, in my opinion, that canadians seemed to “like” the US better when our president was getting his knob polished. I don’t blame canadians for feeling ani-american right now, when this U.S. leader has done SO many ethnocentric things, even during times of crisis.
I mean, do we think the world loves us just because…. uh, we’re the land of the free or something?

My own grandfather didn’t go to our wedding because it was in London, Ont. and he refused to go to Canada. WTF?

We are moving to Vancouver later this year. It’s time for us to go to Canada and settle down and start a family. I can’t wait.
I won’t ever lie about being an american in Canada, but I certainly won’t be advertising it, either.

That was totally stream-of-consciousness but *I* feel better now. Thanks.

]]> By: Kate M. http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2003/02/27/canadas-anti-americanism/#comment-218 Kate M. Sun, 02 Mar 2003 19:56:15 +0000 http://ss75.shared.server-system.net/~benedictionblogson.com/?p=315#comment-218 As a Canadian what I feel is this: The U.S. seems to take for granted Canada will always do what it wants. I have read words of utter, furious outrage from American pundits in recent months because Canada has not fallen into line with the wishes of the U.S. government re Iraq. As if we should always and forever be in a position of gratitude and obedience. But we are not a tributary state, we are a separate nation, and I don't see any evil in Canadians sometimes finding we do not share the U.S. opinion on certain issues. But the pressure is always there. As a Canadian what I feel is this: The U.S. seems to take for granted Canada will always do what it wants. I have read words of utter, furious outrage from American pundits in recent months because Canada has not fallen into line with the wishes of the U.S. government re Iraq. As if we should always and forever be in a position of gratitude and obedience. But we are not a tributary state, we are a separate nation, and I don’t see any evil in Canadians sometimes finding we do not share the U.S. opinion on certain issues. But the pressure is always there.

]]> By: Bene Diction http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2003/02/27/canadas-anti-americanism/#comment-217 Bene Diction Fri, 28 Feb 2003 23:14:33 +0000 http://ss75.shared.server-system.net/~benedictionblogson.com/?p=315#comment-217 Very much Dave. Blog on! Very much Dave. Blog on!

]]> By: Dave King http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2003/02/27/canadas-anti-americanism/#comment-216 Dave King Fri, 28 Feb 2003 22:16:30 +0000 http://ss75.shared.server-system.net/~benedictionblogson.com/?p=315#comment-216 Thanks BD, glad you liked it. -Peace Thanks BD, glad you liked it.

-Peace

]]> By: Bene Diction http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2003/02/27/canadas-anti-americanism/#comment-215 Bene Diction Fri, 28 Feb 2003 20:54:52 +0000 http://ss75.shared.server-system.net/~benedictionblogson.com/?p=315#comment-215 I agree that our elected representatives have to understand the moral responsibility of representation. And when any countries leaders make disparaging remarks publically it filters down. I also agree that there have been times in the history of our two countries when policy has hurt citizens on both sides of the border ie: softwood lumber. And Laura, if another 9/11 happened tomorrow, Canadians would open their borders, their resources and their homes to Americans. But, I've heard a lot more grumbling lately from boths sides for all of the reasons you guys laid out. As an individual Canadian I'm really tired of being labelled 'anti'. Our governments don't get along, and as Jordon said this has happened in the past. We Canadians don't put much stock in Ottawa either. Instant communication in media forms can be very callous. I agree with Roy also. But I think we as individuals don't have to squander good will. I also don't think it will make much difference which troubles me. That's my 2c. :^) Blog on! I agree that our elected representatives have to understand the moral responsibility of representation. And when any countries leaders make disparaging remarks publically it filters down.

I also agree that there have been times in the history of our two countries when policy has hurt citizens on both sides of the border ie: softwood lumber.

And Laura, if another 9/11 happened tomorrow, Canadians would open their borders, their resources and their homes to Americans.

But, I’ve heard a lot more grumbling lately from boths sides for all of the reasons you guys laid out.
As an individual Canadian I’m really tired of being labelled ‘anti’.

Our governments don’t get along, and as Jordon said this has happened in the past.
We Canadians don’t put much stock in Ottawa either.
Instant communication in media forms can be very callous.

I agree with Roy also. But I think we as individuals don’t have to squander good will.
I also don’t think it will make much difference which troubles me.

That’s my 2c. :^) Blog on!

]]> By: Jordon Cooper http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2003/02/27/canadas-anti-americanism/#comment-214 Jordon Cooper Fri, 28 Feb 2003 19:33:48 +0000 http://ss75.shared.server-system.net/~benedictionblogson.com/?p=315#comment-214 I don't think this level of Anti-Americanism existed during the Clinton era or the Reagan-Bush I era. It generally only comes to the forefront when their foreign or domestic policy hurts Canadians or their ideals and W's administration has done that. I don't think we have a problem with their wealth or power but like anyone, we don't like being run roughshod over. W is known to call Chretien "dino" for dinosaur and part of their issue seems to arise from some anti George H comments that Chretien made in opposition. When the governments don't get a long well, it tends to breed some distain in the media and the people as well. I don’t think this level of Anti-Americanism existed during the Clinton era or the Reagan-Bush I era. It generally only comes to the forefront when their foreign or domestic policy hurts Canadians or their ideals and W’s administration has done that. I don’t think we have a problem with their wealth or power but like anyone, we don’t like being run roughshod over.

W is known to call Chretien “dino” for dinosaur and part of their issue seems to arise from some anti George H comments that Chretien made in opposition. When the governments don’t get a long well, it tends to breed some distain in the media and the people as well.

]]> By: Roy Jacobsen http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2003/02/27/canadas-anti-americanism/#comment-213 Roy Jacobsen Fri, 28 Feb 2003 18:23:45 +0000 http://ss75.shared.server-system.net/~benedictionblogson.com/?p=315#comment-213 Every country, every "nation" (in the sense of a group of people with a common identity), can be looked down upon for some reason or another. Canadians look down on their southern neighbors, Americans look down on Canadians, the English look down on the French, and vice versa. We "moderns" look down on the ancient Romans, viewing their circuses and slave holding to be barbaric. If they could, the ancient Romans would look down on us moderns because we're soft, and have lost the concepts of honor and duty. I think it's just something endemic to a fallen human race. We can call it evil, because that's what it is, but I'm not sure it's something that we can effect a cure for. Every country, every “nation” (in the sense of a group of people with a common identity), can be looked down upon for some reason or another. Canadians look down on their southern neighbors, Americans look down on Canadians, the English look down on the French, and vice versa.

We “moderns” look down on the ancient Romans, viewing their circuses and slave holding to be barbaric. If they could, the ancient Romans would look down on us moderns because we’re soft, and have lost the concepts of honor and duty.

I think it’s just something endemic to a fallen human race. We can call it evil, because that’s what it is, but I’m not sure it’s something that we can effect a cure for.

]]> By: Laura http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2003/02/27/canadas-anti-americanism/#comment-212 Laura Fri, 28 Feb 2003 18:15:53 +0000 http://ss75.shared.server-system.net/~benedictionblogson.com/?p=315#comment-212 At the time of 9-11, I thought sentiments were good between the U.S. and Canada. Have Canadian views changed because of Bush Adm. foreign policy after 9-11, or was there something smouldering there already? Many American's sentiments toward our own government are changing as we watch the Bush Admin. butcher everything... At the time of 9-11, I thought sentiments were good between the U.S. and Canada. Have Canadian views changed because of Bush Adm. foreign policy after 9-11, or was there something smouldering there already?

Many American’s sentiments toward our own government are changing as we watch the Bush Admin. butcher everything…

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